DeBary, Florida – Two members of the Volusia County Symphony Orchestra share the impact thieves had on members after they stole thousands of dollars worth of instruments.
Kay Cooke and Chas Monaghan of DeLand-based Volusia Community Arts met News 6 in DeBary. Cook is the president of the symphony orchestra and Monaghan is the double bass player.
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They both said morale was low after practicing for the first time without an instrument over the weekend, but they’re still going to rush.
“Just because someone stepped on you doesn’t mean you stop playing music. You just play louder with a bigger smile,” Monaghan said.
Monogan said music will never die, but the symphony orchestra was killed last Wednesday when thieves stole the nonprofit’s trailer filled with equipment worth more than $20,000. A big hit. Over $30,000 worth of equipment was stolen, including trailers and accessories.
Only wooden blocks remain at the West Volusia Shriners Club where the trailer was parked.
Items in the trailer were the bulk of the percussion section.
“I can only imagine how they feel. It’s like….but that’s my instrument, that’s how I do it,” Cook said.
Cook said losing the percussion section was like losing a heartbeat.
“They think all the other instruments are big, like trumpets, and they are very important!
The group provided photos for the trailer to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
It’s a 2009 white V nose with LRII60 on the license plate.
A representative points out some of the contents of the trailer in the report, from the stand to multiple timpani and stools.
Cook said it’s a loss they’re trying to adapt to as they continue to practice for their spring concerts.
“I had a metal cleaning rod from my flute, so I put it back into the percussion so I can play simple things like triangles,” Cook said.
Monaghan says he’s been sent to heaven since moving to Florida from Mississippi, and it’s sad to see this happen to fellow members.
“When I moved to Florida, I basically came here. I had a duffel bag, a guitar, and $600. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but this ministry in Sanford adopted me and gave me a place to stay,” Monaghan said.
From there, Monaghan said he found his second family in the orchestra, adding that their mission remains the same as they go through difficult times.
“Orchestra and art bring a beauty to life that it otherwise could not have. said Monaghan.
This is still under investigation by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and they are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything to call the office immediately.
As for Volusia Community Arts, they still rely on the community. They set up a GoFundMe to recover some of their lost equipment.
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